LDS Church releases updated version of ‘Preach My Gospel’ missionary manual
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- Lisa Mitchell, of the missionary department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holds a copy of the new second edition of “Preach My Gospel” at the Missionary Training Center campus in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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- Quentin Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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- Future missionaries attend a Mandarin language course at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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- Marcus Nash, executive director of the missionary department and general authority seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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- Bonnie Cordon, young women general president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
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- A future missionary’s copy of the original “Preach My Gospel” sits on the table an English class at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The church announced Thursday they have updated “Preach My Gospel” for the first time since it was published in 2004.
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- Future missionaries attend an English class at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald
Lisa Mitchell, of the missionary department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holds a copy of the new second edition of "Preach My Gospel" at the Missionary Training Center campus in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
It has been nearly 20 years since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first released the “Preach My Gospel” handbook for missionaries. On Thursday, President Russell M. Nelson announced, via video, the second edition at the church’s seminar for new mission leaders.
“This new edition comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing,” he said. “(It) reflects a sensitivity to many of those changes. It contains some of the best instruction I have ever seen to help people accept the Lord’s invitation to come unto him,” Nelson said in the recorded message.
The new manual carries a new subtitle — “A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ” — and contains, the church said, a greater emphasis on Jesus Christ.
“In the world today, individuals, families, communities and nations face unprecedented needs and challenges. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only enduring solution for addressing these needs and challenges. The second edition of ‘Preach My Gospel’ will inspire and help members and missionaries as they serve and invite people to enjoy the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will help bring the savior’s healing, sanctifying power into the lives of members, missionaries, and those they teach,” Nelson said.
The announcement was made at a press gathering, held at the Missionary Training Center in Provo with Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Bonnie H. Cordon, young women general president; and Marcus B. Nash, executive director of the missionary department and general authority seventy.
Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald
Quentin Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
“If you listen to President Nelson, he has a laser-like focus on Jesus Christ,” Cook said. “Everything we do is focused on the savior.”
The update addresses changing needs and circumstances of many people in the world today by helping people apply the gospel to their lives, according to a church statement.
The new “Preach My Gospel” was designed to align with the new “General Handbook” and other policies, including teachings of modern leaders. It also includes safeguards and guidelines for using technology in sharing the gospel.
The second edition, as church officials called it, of “Preach My Gospel” is the first update since the guide was first released in 2004. Cook specifically noted Chapter 23, which gives guidance on how a missionary should operate. The youngest missionaries for the church are 18 years old, meaning this update is the first in their lifetimes.
Since the first publication, the world has changed significantly — particularly in regard to technology and digital interactions — as has the church in its global impact.
Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald
Future missionaries attend a Mandarin language course at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Nash noted the new manual will help missionaries globally by clarifying doctrine and helping missionaries focus on the needs of the individual.
“This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and we need to meet them where they are,” Nash said. “It is important for missionaries to teach that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy, healing, purpose and hope, now and through all eternity.”
He also noted the upward growth in the number of missionaries since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, there were 57,000 missionaries. There are 68,000 currently serving and Nash believes that there will be 72,000 missionaries actively serving by the end of 2023.
Cordon, meanwhile, spoke of the importance of young women in the church to fulfill their “missionary purpose.” Updated illustrations and the new visual of the Plan of Salvation, Cordon said, will help missionaries learn for themselves and teach others.
Missionaries and members who use it for study purposes will be encouraged on “becoming lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ,” the title of Lesson 4.
Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald
Marcus Nash, executive director of the missionary department and general authority seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
This second edition of “Preach My Gospel” is based on the teachings, inspiration and emphasis of current church leaders. It is supplemented with additional scripture references, more recent teachings from prophets and apostles, and additional art and other visuals. The content in each chapter has been updated. However, the chapter order and core teachings remain the same, according to church information.
The second edition of “Preach My Gospel” is available online in the Gospel Library app in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Print editions will be available by the end of 2023. Additional languages will be available beginning in January 2024.
Bonnie Cordon, young women general president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks with members of the media at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
A future missionary's copy of the original "Preach My Gospel" sits on the table an English class at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The church announced Thursday they have updated "Preach My Gospel" for the first time since it was published in 2004.
Future missionaries attend an English class at the Missionary Training Center campus for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023.